Fluid-pressure coupling



S'. A, RQUSSEAU.

FLUID PRESSURE COUPLING. AvPPLlcATloN mw Nuv. 2x, 1919.

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Paente June 15, 1920.

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s. A. HQUSSEA? FLUD PRESSURE COUFLHJGK APPLICATION NLE!) NOV. 2l, 1919. Lww Patented June 1920.

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Elgin/ey gousse-Hw S. A. HUUSSEAU, FLUID PRESSURE COUPUNG. APPLICATIGN FILED nov. 2:, i919.

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S. ROUSSEUI FLUID PRESSURE CUPLING. APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2I, ISIS;

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AUlNrrlezD STA SIDNEY AUGUSTIN ROUSSEA, 0F `DE WITT,`ARKANSAS, [i f FLUID-rnessonn coUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent. .Patnted June 15, 192.0.

Application ined November 21, 1919. seriai No. 339,644.

T0 all whom t may concern.'

. Be it known that I, SLDNEY A Roussin-1U, a citizenV of the Unitedk States, residing at De lVitt, in the county of Arkansas and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fluid-Pressure Couplings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact .description ofthe invention, such as willv enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. n

his invention relates to new and useful improvements in automatic couplers for train pipes, and comprises a simple and eficient apparatus vof this nature, and in vthe provision of means whereby, as two similarly equipped trains come together, the fluid pressure pipes may automatically be coupled and the valves automatically opened and closed when cars containing the apparatus are uncoupled. n

The invention comprises various other details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings andthen specifically delined in the appended claims..

My invention is illustrated in the accom- Y lwithsaid nipple at encend, and its other panying drawings which, with the numerals of reference markedthereon, forma rpart of this application, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevation Aof one of the couplers. f

Fig. 2 is a sectional view onv line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end Lview partially in cross section and illustrating the support for holding thel coupler.

. Fig. t is a sectionalview von line l-l of Fig..2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged 'central sectional Vview through two heads coupled together.

Fig. 6 Iis a side elevation showing tne de- Y vice attached to the truck of a cari` .Fig 7' is `a front elevation of the form shown in Fig. 6. f f

Fig. S. is a plan view of the device mounted on attaching bars.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view vthrough a slightly modified form of the invention.

anelbow 28 with a train pipe. A lsure, cylinder -29has its forward end seated Fig. 10 isagdetail Sectional view, showing the heads arrangedfor one pipe only, and

Fig. 11 is an end` view of a couplerhead. Referenc'enow being had to the details of thel drawings by numerals: f

`'1 designates a cylinder having a circular outlined head 2, shown in elevation in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and provided with apertures 3, f1, 5 and', apertures 3 and l having gaskets ,7 mounted'therein..

v A fluil pressureJ pipe 8 has its forward open end engagingy a recess in said cylinder head 2 and Lcommunicates with the opening 3, and has-a valve 9.1nounted ink a suitable casing 10, and 11 is a stem secured to said valve and extending through an opening 8 in the cylinder l, and also in a-hole 12 in the staytionary cylindrical casing 13,the cylinder "1 @having a telescoping ,movement therein vfor a pur osewhich will be presently described. aid valve casing 10 is connected to a pipe Lsectionlll passing through the `rear end of the cylinder 1 and held securelyV 'thereinby means of nuts 15. The pipe 11 is connected by an elbow 16 of the pipe 17 through whicliuid-fro1`n any suitable 4source is to4 be conveyed. kMountedfwithin the opening 5 in the cylinder' head is a through a duct 21 with thefrecess 4 foi-mcd yin lthe cylinder head.

Ailuid pressure tube 18 communicates end is Vconnected-to a casing having a valve 23 with a stem 2d, which passes through an formedin the wall of the cylinderl 12h A pipe ,27 is connected to the casing of valve 23 and passes throughthe rear end of .the cylinder 1 and-,is adapted to be connected by 'fluid pres- .tapering nipplef 13,`-which communicates i in a recess in thezcylinder head and closed,

tween the fluid pressure cylinder, 294 and thetubular member 18, permitting the fluid Aand telescoping within said uid pressure vcylinder is a solid cylindrical piston -rod v3() pressure to pass from the member 18 to the f cylinder 29 for the purpose of imparting a pressure intermediate the cylinder head and the end of the piston rod to hold said nipples coupled together when the two couplers come together.

A nipple 35 is mounted in an opening in the outer end of the spring pressed cylinder 1 and communicates with a fluid pressure member 34, which in turn is connected to a valve casing 36 having a valve 37. A stem 38 passes through a slot 39 in the cylinder 1. and a slot 40 in the cylinder 13.

A pipe 41 is connected to the casing 36 and passes through the rear wall of the cylinder 1, and is connected through the medium of the elbow 42 with a pipe 43,`which latter passes through a slot 44 in the cylinder 13. Said cylinder' 13 has projecting trunnions 52, supported by the members 46, on which are forked arms 47, the inner edges of which are tapering, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. T hei cylinder 1 is provided with oppositely projecting lugs 48, which have opposite edges 49 inclined'and tending to properly aline the two cylinders,

'when thrown to the position shown in Fig.

2 of the drawings, through the medium of the coiled spring 50, which bears between the cylinder head and a peripheral flange 13 `formed in the adjacent end of the cylinder 13.

Upon reference to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, it will be noted that the cylinder 13 is mounted upon trunnions 52 supported from the swiveled frame 46, said frame 46 being mounted on trunnions 51, supported by frame 46, giving the cylinder a universal movement when the arms 48 are out lof engagement with the inclined edges of the forked arms 47.

In Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, I have shown mountings for the couplers, consisting of the truss bars 54 to which are bolted the parallel bars 55, which support at their outer ends the coupling head, the end view of Fig. 7 showing the brace bars 56 to further reinforce and hold the parallel bars 55 rigid.

In Fig. 9 of the drawings I have shown a slight modification of the invention, in which the cylinder 58 is provided with a cylinder head 59, and 60 is a cylinder within which the cylinder 58 telescopes, the latter having laterally projecting lugs 61 movable through the slot 62fin the cylinder 60. In this modified form a single tubular pipe 63 is provided which communicates at its forward end with an opening 63 in the end wall vof the cylinder 58 and 64 is a tapering nipple a u also seated 1n the opening 63.

Said opening 63' Vcommunicates through the medium of va ductr66 with a recess 67 in the cylinder head, and in which the nipple 64 in adapted to be inserted when two coupler heads of similar construction come together.

Mounted in a groove in the recess is a suitable gasket 68 in order to insure a tight lit.v A pipe 69 has its forward end seated in a recess in the cylinder head 66 closing said pipe, and has its other end connected to a lieXible pipe 70. The two pipes 63 and 69 have a communicating pipe section 71 through which fluid pressure may pass into the pipe 69 for the purpose of assisting in holding the connected ends of the tubular members securely together. The rear end of the pipe 63 is closed and works throu h a suitable gland 72, and has an aperture 7 3 in the wall thereof which, when the coupler heads are connected, registers with a port 74 with which the pipe 75 communicates. A spring 76 bears between the cylinder head 59 and the V[lange 63a upon the cylinder 60 and tends to normallyhold the cylinder'58 to its outer limit.

In Fig. 10 is illustrated a modified form of the coupler heads connected together. Leading through the bottom of the recess in the cylinder head is an exhaust vent 77 through which any leakage of gas, which may be pocketed in the recess, may escape.

In operation, when two coupler heads, similarly constructed, come` together, the tapering nipples 35 and 18', upon one coupler head, will engage respectively the aperture 3 and the recess 4 formed in the cylinder head of an opposing coupler; and similar nipples in the opposing member will engage an aperture and recess upon the other cylinder head, in the manner shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. As said nipples approach cach other, they will beheld in alinement by means of the forked membersl 47 on 26 and 26 and the wedge-shaped members 48 projecting from the circumference of the cylinder 1, and when the nipples are connected as described, the cylinders 1 will be moved back, bringing the springs 50 into compression, and as the cylinders 1 move within the cylinders 13, the valve stems will be turned, causing the valves to open and permit the fluid pressure to pass through the tubular members and nipples from one coupler head to the other.

A full pressure in the tubular member 18 will enter the fluid pressure cylinder 29 and act upon the inner surface of the cylinder head 2 and upon the piston 30, causing said tapering nipples to engage their respective apertures and recesses, and be held securely against the gaskets therein and thus form a tight joint. Y

VAs the cylinders 1 telescope within the cylinders 13, the lugs 48 will draw away from the inclined edges of the arms of the forked members 47, which will permit the cylinders to have free swinging movements verticallv tion, it lwill bei-notedL that asimple andk and horizontally, at the lsame time holding Vthe nipples securely connected, so that the fluid pressure may pass freely without interruption incident to 'vibration' and angularity. When it is desiredto ldisconnect the fluid pressure coupler fheads, it maybe vdone by the disconnecting of the usual couplers upon the cars, and as the-nipples withdraw from their respective apertures and recesses, the springs 50 will return the cylinders 1 to their normal outer limits, and ink such movement the stems of thefvalves will shut off the supply and the fluidk pressure within the tubular members Q9 will exhaust-to the atmosphere and relieve the inner faces of the cylinder heads from pressure from-that source.

ByV the provision of 'j a fluid pressure coupler madefinaccordance with my inven` efficient apparatus is providedwhich may be easily and quickly applied toV all cars, and connected tothe train pipes, and which is thoroughly :automatic 'in its action, v thev valves being turnedonas set forth when the heads are coupled and automatically closed when disconnected'. f 1 i r What I claim to be new is: z 1. An automatic fluid pressure cou'plerfforl train pipes, comprisingftwo'telescoping cyll inders, one stationary and the other movable and provided with apertures. in 'its outer end wall, nipples projecting.' from said apertures, fluid pressure lpipes communicating `with said nipples, valves in said pipes automatically opening andvclosing asl the-movable ycylinder moves inopposite directions, the outer end of said movable cylinder having a recess and an aperture and also a duct leading from said recess to oneofsaid nipples, and a valve regulated fluid pressure member communicating with 4said lasty mentioned aperture and adapted for connection to a train pipe. f

2. An automatic fluidpressure couplerfor Vtrain pipes, comprising'two telescoping cylinders, one stationary and the other movable and provided with apertures in its outer end wall,nipples projecting from saidk apertures, fluid pressure pipes communicating with said nipples', valves in said pipes automatically opening vand closing as the movable cylinder moves in opposite directions,`

the outerend of said movable cylinder having a recess and an aperture and also a `duct leading from'said'recess to one of'saidnipples, a valve regulated fluid pressure member communicating `with said last mentioned aperture and adapted forconnection to a train pipe, and means for holding the nipples upon'one coupler head iii alinement with arecess `and aperture upon an opposing head, as the heads come together. 4

8. A11 automatic fluid pressure couplerfor train pipes, comprising two telescoping cylinders, one stationary and the other movable and provided with apertures in its outer end Lwall, nipplesprojectingfrom said apertures,

fluid pressure pipes communicating with `said nipples,-Valves in said pipes automatically opening and closing asthe movable cylinder moves in opposite directions,

inghead, as the heads cometogether, and y means'for applyingfluid pressure to theinner face ofthe head of each movable cylinder as said heads are coupled together.

4. An automatic jfluid pressure coupler lfor train pipes, comprising two telescoping cylinders,one stationary and the other movable and provided with'` apertures in its outer end wall, nipples projecting from said apertures, fluid pressurepipes communicating with said nipples, valves in said pipes automatically lopening and closing as the movable cylinder' moves in opposite direc- Itions, thel outer end of said movable cylinder having a recess andan aperture and also aduct leading from said recess to one of' said nipples, a valve regulating fluid pressure member communicating with said last mentioned aperture and adapted for 'connection to a train pipe, means for holding the nipples upon one coupler head in alinement li'ifitharecess and aperture upon an opposing head, as vthe heads come together, and means` l',fo'rvapplying fluid pressure to the inner face ofthev hea'd'of each movable cylinder as said heads are coupled together, comprising a fluid pressure cylinder connected at its o uter end tothe head of the movable cylinder and` communicating with oneof said fluid pressure pipes, and ajpiston telescoping into said fluid pressure cylinder.

f 5. lAn yautomatic fluid pressure coupler for train pipes, comprising two telescoping -cylinders,one 'stationary and the other mov- -able* and VVVprovided' with apertures in its outer end'wall, nipples projecting from said apertures, fluidV pressure pipes' communicating with 'said-nipples, valves in said pipes tions, the outer end of said vmovable cylinderhaving af recess andanaperture and also aduct leading V'from said recess to one of sure member communicating with ksaid last mentioned aperture and adapted forV connection to a train pipe, means for holding the nipples upon one coupler head in alinement "automatically opening and closing asv the movable .cylinder moves inopposite `direcv said'v nipples', avalve .regulated fluid pres-` ivith a recess and aperture upon an opposing head, as the heads come together, and means for applying fluid pressure to the .inner face of the head of' each movable cylinder as said heads are coupled together, comprising a fluid pressure cylinder connected -at its outer end to the head of the movable -ples mounted in said apertures, fluid pressure pipes communicating With said nipples, valves in said pipes and having stems projecting through said registering slots, a central fluid pressure cylinder connected at its outer end to said end Wall of the movable cylinder, and communicating With one of said fluid pressure pipes, a stationary piston projecting into said central fluid pressure cylinder, said outer end Wall of the movable cylinder-having an aperture and recess and also a duct communicatingvvithsaid recess and with one of said fluid pressure pipes, a valved pressure pipe communicating With said lastmentioned aperture, and means for holding the nipples upon the coupler in aliiiement with the recess and aperture in an opposing coupler head, assaid heads come togethe 7. An automatic fluid pressure coupler for train pipes, comprising two telescoping cylinders, one stationary and the-other movable, said cylinders having registering slots and said movable cylinder being provided with apertures in its outer end Wall, nipples mounted in said apertures, fluid pressure pipescommunicating With said nipples, valves'in said pipes andhaving stems projecting through said registering slots, a central fluid pressure cylinder connected atv its outer end Vto said end Wall of the-movable cylinder, and communicating with one of said fluid pressure pipes, a stationary piston projecting into said central fluid pressure cylinder, said outer end wall of the movable -cylinder having anV aperture and receSsand also a duct communicating With said recess and Withone of said fluid pressure pipes,

valved pressure pipe communicating With nsaid lastv vmentioned aperture,` said stationary cylinder being provided With trunnions, a support vin which said trunnions are journaled, pairs offorked members Vcarried by "saidfsupport, the adjacent longitudinal edge -of each member of! a pair being reversely inclined, and Wedgeshaped projections uponfrthe movable cylinder adapted to enofI said fluid pressure pipes and gage the said inclined edges of the forked members to hold the nipples in proper alinement with a recess and aperture in an opposing cylinder head as the couplers come together.

8. An automatic fluidr pressure coupler for train pipes, comprising la stationary and a movable cylinder telescoping one Within the other,'trunnion supporting means for said stationary cylinder, adapted to be attached to the truck of a car, nipples mounted in the outer head of said movable cylinder, fluid pressure pipes communicating with said nipples, automatically actuated valves in said pipes, said outer head of the movable cylinder having a recessand a duct in communication with said recess and one of said nipples, and also an aperture adjacent said recess, a valved pipe communicating With said aperture and adapted to be connected to a train pipe, a fluid pressure Vcylinder connected at its outer end to the said outer head of the movable cylinder, and communicating with one of said fluid pressure pipes, a stationary piston projecting into said fluid pressure cylinder, and means for alining the nipples of one head with a recess and aperture in an opposed coupler head, as said heads come together.

9. An automatic fluid pressure coupler for itrains, comprising a fixed frame for attachment to the truck of a car, a second frame having trunnion connection with the fixed frame, said frames having forked alining members thereon, those upon one frame in planesat right angles to the planes of those on the other frame,'tW0 telescoping cylinders, one of which is stationary, pivotal means for supporting said stationary cylinder in said trunnion frame, the other cylinder being movable, and provided With projections cooperating With said forked inembei's to guide the movable cylinder in its longitudinal and axial movements, the outer end Wall of said movable cylinder having apertures anda recess, and also a duct communicating with said recess and one of said apertures, nipples in said apertures, fluid pressure pipes communicating With said nipples, valves in said pipes, means for automatically actuating the valves as the movable cylinder telescopes vvithin'thev stationary cylinder,a fluid pressure cylinder provided with a duct communicating With one a piston fixed to the stationary cylinder and movable Within said fluid pressure cylinder.

10. An automatic fluid pressure coupler for trains, comprising a fixed frame for attachment to the truck of a car, a second frame having trunnion connection with the fixed frame, said frames having forked alining members thereon, those upon one frame in planes at right angles to the planes of those on Athe other` frame, two telescoping cylinders, one of which is stationary, pivotal means for supporting said stationary cylinder in said trunnion frame, the other cylinder being movable, and provided with projections coperating with said forked members to guide the movable cylinder in its longitudinal and axial movements, said stationary cylinder being provided with longitudinal slots, said projections passing through said slots, the outer end Wall of the movable cylinder being provided With apertures and a recess, and also With a duct communicating with said recess and one of said pressure pipes communicating With said nipples, valves in said pipes, means for automatically actuating the valves as .the movable cylinder; telescopes Within the stationary cylinder, a fluid pressure cylinder provided With a duct communicating with one of said fluid pressure pipes, and a piston carried by the stationary cylinder and movf able Within said fluid pressure cylinder.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

SIDNEY AUGUSTIN ROUSSEAU. 

